Electric bikes that fall into Class 1 are pedal-assist only, which means that power is only delivered when the rider is moving the pedals, and most of the time, there is no throttle on the handlebar. If there is one, it offers an extra power boost, but it only works when the rider is pedaling. Motors on class 1 bikes support top pedal-assisted speeds up to 20mph, and they are typically allowed in bike lanes and multi-use trails, essentially anywhere a regular bike can go.
These typically have a very user-friendly interface and have the option for a step-through frame design to make mounting and dismounting easier for most people. They may not be as powerful or speedy as some other models, but they provide a boost to your pedaling efforts and are fun and comfortable to ride. While almost always available as aftermarket accessories, included perks like a headlight, tail light, fenders, and cargo racks are always nice.
The interior is padded, and the ATB material is durable enough not to chafe without leaving hard scratches. When encountering potholes, the shock forks huffy nighthawk respond to soft and stiff moisture. The rear shock absorbs the vast majority of the vibration when the rear wheel passes over rocks or roots.
Fancy carbon frames and sport-specific builds can often make them pricier than other categories of e-bikes. Our testing process varies depending on what style of e-bike we are testing, but some of the most important metrics include ride quality, range, user interface, and power output. We go into the finer details for specific categories, evaluating downhill and climbing performance for mountain bikes, carrying capacity for cargo bikes, and folded size for folding e-bikes. In addition to miles of methodical testing on and off the pavement, we load, fold, pop wheelies, and drop into steep lines on these bikes. We ride each one long enough to become familiar with it and find its best and worst attributes. Still, additional factors like rider weight, terrain, and the amount of pedal assistance or throttle used will also play a major role.
While this is undoubtedly one of our favorite electric bikes on the trail, there are a few areas where the Levo was not the top performer. The SRAM Code R hydraulic disc brakes on this bike are far from our favorite, and the non-e-bike specific Fox 36 Rhythm fork also leaves a bit to be desired. The only information immediately available to the rider are the LEDs on the frame’s top tube showing the current support setting and remaining battery life. If you value having lots of information available at a glance, more expensive versions of the Levo come with a digital display, or you can purchase one as a separate accessory.
Though it folds into a compact package, it’s quite heavy at 62.5 lbs, so lifting it into a trunk or carrying it up a flight of stairs can be difficult. All that said, this value-oriented foldable model is a great option for anyone short on storage or seeking a compact e-bike. Striking a delicate balance in the cargo bike market, the Specialized Haul ST manages to be useful without being overly imposing. Its small footprint makes for easy storage and agile handling, while its burly frame and solid spec ready it for heavy-duty service. The frame design is very similar, with the same 18-speed configuration, but the Hyper Shocker is a men’s mountain bike, whereas the huffy nighthawk is a women’s mountain bike. The multicolor saddle is designed for comfort, plus the alloy quick-release binder clip makes it easy to adjust or remove at any time.